Portable shooting target

ABSTRACT

A collapsible, portable target shooting apparatus that is easily transported and constructed in the field, backyard, or other location for shooters to use for training and recreation. When collapsed, the apparatus lies generally flat. When expanded and assembled, portions of the apparatus comprise graphics for target shooting. A shelving system supports a variety of targets, including, but not limited to, three-dimensional targets such as fruit, cans, bottles, or any similar item. The apparatus may be made of cardboard, stiff paper, plastic, Kevlar, wood, metal, Styrofoam, or similar materials, or combinations thereof.

This application claims benefit of and priority to U.S. Provisional Application No. 61/783,079, filed Mar. 14, 2013, by Neely Burks, and is entitled to that filing date for priority. The specification, figures and complete disclosure of U.S. Provisional Application No. 61/783,079 are incorporated herein by specific reference for all purposes.

FIELD OF INVENTION

This invention relates to a portable shooting target that can be easily transported and constructed in the field. More particularly, this invention relates to a portable shooting target with a shelving system to support a variety of three-dimensional targets.

SUMMARY OF INVENTION

In various exemplary embodiments, the present system comprises a portable target shooting apparatus that is easily transported and constructed in the field, backyard, or other location for shooters to use for training and recreation. Portions of the apparatus comprise graphics for target shooting. In one embodiment, the invention further comprises a shelving system to support a variety of targets, including, but not limited to, three-dimensional targets such as fruit, cans, bottles, clay discs, or any similar item. The apparatus may be made of cardboard, stiff paper, plastic, Kevlar, wood, metal, Styrofoam, or similar materials, or combinations thereof.

In collapsed form the apparatus is a relatively flat, lightweight package, easily carried by a single individual. It may be shrink wrapped, secured by packaging straps, or otherwise fastened so as not to prematurely open. The apparatus may be self-merchandised in its collapsed state or in a partially assembled state, and thus can easily be displayed on a store shelf, gondola, or display apparatus.

The user transports the apparatus in collapsed form to the site, and begins assembly or construction. In one embodiment, assembly or construction comprises unfolding the side panels (or wings), and unfolding the reinforced support box (which forms the base of the apparatus). A reinforcement component is contained in the box itself which folds into an X-shape and is inserted into the support box to reinforce it. In alternative embodiments, a reinforcement component is not provided. Tabs, which may or may not have pre-cut slots or holes, extend from the bottom of the side panels and the support box (and may extend from front, back, or sides), and stakes can be inserted through one or more of said tabs to secure the apparatus to the ground. Where no holes are provided, the stakes are driven through the tabs directly. Alternatively, the apparatus may be weighted with stones, bricks, sand, or the like placed on the tabs or in the interior of the support box.

The support box generally comprises a front face, a top, a back face, and a bottom, contiguously attached along their respective edges, which fold and allow the box to collapse. In this embodiment, the side panels are foldingly attached to the right and left edges of the front face. The right face and left face of the box (when assembled) are contiguously attached along one edge to the right and left edges of the back face. The right and left faces each comprise a folding insert along the edge opposite the edge attached to the back face. Flaps extend from the ends of the top face and bottom face, and during assembly, these are folded inward, the corresponding right or left face is folded over the flaps, and the folding insert is inserted into the space behind the front face to form the side of the box.

An optional shelf unit may be unfolded, and tabs at the bottom of the side supports inserted into matching tabs, holes or slots in the top of the support box so that the shelf is secured on top of the support box. In one embodiment, shelf inserts may be used with the shelving unit. Three-dimensional targets or objects (e.g., cans, fruit, clay discs, or the like) may be placed thereon. In several embodiments, one or more hooks or holes are provided to allow targets (such as cans, and the like) to be suspended by hanging toggles, string or wire. The top of a shelf also may comprise one or more holes or slots to support clay discs, targets, or similar objects.

A variety of shooting target graphics are displayed on the front of the support box and the side panels, as shown. Graphics may be pre-printed on the apparatus. Alternatively, adhesive graphics or the like may be placed (or re-placed) on the apparatus. In one embodiment, replaceable graphics on a heavy card stock or similar material is slid or inserted into place on the apparatus and fastened in place.

By offering a variety of components for target shooting, the user is able to shoot multiple rounds of ammunition at the target apparatus without pausing for target resetting or reloading. Depending on the material used for construction of the apparatus, a variety of firearms may be used. For example, where paper or cardboard or similar material is used, recommended firearms include rifles, handguns, BB-guns, and pellet guns. Depending on the material used for construction, and the amount of use, the apparatus may be single-use or multiple-use.

After use, the product can moved in an assembled form, or may be collapsed, in whole or in part, for re-use, or it may be disposed of. In one embodiment, the side panels or wings can be folded inward to the front face, and secured thereto by the custom cutouts on the bottom of the box (by insertion of the stake tabs on the side panels in the cutouts), thereby allow the product to be moved in a convenient fashion while substantially assembled. Accordingly, the apparatus provides a simple, flexible, portable, easy-to-assemble target shooting system for recreational shooting and training.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 shows front and back views of the portable shooting target in collapsed form.

FIGS. 2A-D show the portable shooting target being assembled.

FIG. 3 shows the assembled portable shooting target.

FIG. 4 shows front and back views of another embodiment of the portable shooting target in collapsed form.

FIG. 5 shows a front view of another embodiment of the portable shooting target in a partially unfolded state.

FIG. 6 shows a back view of the apparatus of FIG. 5.

FIG. 7 shows a perspective view of a base in a partially assembled state.

FIG. 8 shows a perspective view of the assembled base with side panels partially closed.

FIG. 9 shows a perspective view of the assembled base with side panels open.

FIG. 10 shows a front view of another embodiment of a shelf unit in a partially unfolded state.

FIG. 11 shows a back view of the shelf unit of FIG. 10.

FIG. 12 shows a perspective view of the assembled shelf unit.

FIG. 13 shows a perspective view of another embodiment of the assembled portable shooting target.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF EXEMPLARY EMBODIMENTS

In various exemplary embodiments, the present system comprises a portable target shooting apparatus that is easily transported and constructed in the field, backyard, or other location for shooters to use for training and recreation. Portions of the apparatus comprise graphics for target shooting. In one embodiment, the invention further comprises a shelving system to support a variety of targets, including, but not limited to, three-dimensional targets such as fruit, cans, bottles, clay discs, or any similar item. The apparatus may be made of cardboard, stiff paper, plastic, Kevlar, wood, metal, Styrofoam, or similar materials, or combinations thereof.

FIGS. 1 and 4 show various embodiments of the apparatus in collapsed form 10. In collapsed form the apparatus is a relatively flat, lightweight package, easily carried by a single individual. It may be shrink wrapped, secured by packaging straps, or otherwise fastened so as not to prematurely open.

The apparatus may be self-merchandised in its collapsed state or in a partially assembled state, and thus can easily be displayed on a store shelf, gondola, or display apparatus. In the embodiment shown in FIG. 2, the back panel 12 of the box is the consumer-facing side when collapsed. The target and related graphics are substantially located on the interior faces. Additional components, such as, but not limited to, shelving, reinforcements, instructions, stakes, and toggles, may be folded into the back or interior of the product, and enclosed by the side panels.

The user transports the apparatus in collapsed form to the site, and begins assembly or construction. In one embodiment, as seen in FIGS. 2A-D, assembly or construction comprises unfolding the side panels (or wings) 20, and unfolding the reinforced support box 30 (which forms the base of the apparatus) (FIG. 2A). A reinforcement component 32 is contained in the box itself which folds into an X-shape and is inserted into the support box to reinforce it (FIG. 2B). In alternative embodiments, a reinforcement component is not provided. Tabs 22, which may or may not have pre-cut slots or holes, extend from the bottom of the side panels and the support box (and may extend from front, back, or sides), and stakes 24 can be inserted through one or more of said tabs to secure the apparatus to the ground (FIG. 2C). Where no holes are provided, the stakes are driven through the tabs directly. Alternatively, the apparatus may be weighted with stones, bricks, sand, or the like placed on the tabs or in the interior of the support box. A handle, hole, or grip 34 may be provided to assist in carrying the apparatus when assembled, as seen in FIG. 8.

FIGS. 5-9 show the unfolding and assembly of another embodiment of the support box or base 30. The support box generally comprises a front face 36 a, a top 36 b, a back face 36 c, and a bottom 36 d, contiguously attached along their respective edges, which fold and allow the box to collapse. In this embodiment, the side panels 20 are foldingly attached to the right and left edges of the front face 36 a. The right face 36 e and left face 36 f of the box (when assembled) are contiguously attached along one edge to the right and left edges of the back face 36 c. The right and left faces each comprise a folding insert 36 g along the edge opposite the edge attached to the back face. Flaps 36 h extend from the ends of the top face and bottom face, and during assembly, these are folded inward, the corresponding right or left face is folded over the flaps, and the folding insert is inserted into the space behind the front face to form the side of the box.

If desired, the shelf unit 40 may be unfolded, and tabs 44 a at the bottom of the side supports 42 inserted into matching tabs, holes or slots 44 b in the top of the support box so that the shelf is secured on top of the support box (as seen in FIG. 2D). In one embodiment, shelf inserts 46 may be used with the shelving unit. FIGS. 10 and 11 show an alternative embodiment of the shelf unit when folded, where the shelf tops are folding attached to the front of crosspieces between the side supports, and are folded back with tabs inserted into matching slots on back crosspieces. FIG. 12 shows the shelf unit when assembled. In this embodiment, there are two tabs 44 c on one end of the shelf unit with an elongated end (for more secure fastening) to be inserted first, with three straighter tabs 44 d on the other end of the shelf unit.

FIGS. 3 and 13 show two embodiments of the apparatus fully constructed, complete with shelving unit 40 and three-dimensional targets or objects 50 (e.g., cans, fruit) placed thereon. In several embodiments, one or more hooks or holes 60 are provided to allow targets 62 (such as cans, and the like) to be suspended by hanging toggles, string or wire. As seen in FIG. 13, the top of a shelf also may comprise one or more holes or slots 64 to support clay discs, targets, or similar objects.

A variety of shooting target graphics 70 are displayed on the front of the support box and the side panels, as shown. Graphics may be pre-printed on the apparatus. Alternatively, adhesive graphics or the like may be placed (or re-placed) on the apparatus. In one embodiment, replaceable graphics on a heavy card stock or similar material is slid or inserted into place on the apparatus and fastened in place.

By offering a variety of components for target shooting, the user is able to shoot multiple rounds of ammunition at the target apparatus without pausing for target resetting or reloading. Depending on the material used for construction of the apparatus, a variety of firearms may be used. For example, where paper or cardboard or similar material is used, recommended firearms include rifles, handguns, BB-guns, and pellet guns. Depending on the material used for construction, and the amount of use, the apparatus may be single-use or multiple-use.

After use, the product can moved in an assembled form, or may be collapsed, in whole or in part, for re-use, or it may be disposed of. In one embodiment, the side panels or wings can be folded inward to the front face, and secured thereto by the custom cutouts on the bottom of the box (by insertion of the stake tabs on the side panels in the cutouts), thereby allow the product to be moved in a convenient fashion while substantially assembled. Accordingly, the apparatus provides a simple, flexible, portable, easy-to-assemble target shooting system for recreational shooting and training.

Thus, it should be understood that the embodiments and examples described herein have been chosen and described in order to best illustrate the principles of the invention and its practical applications to thereby enable one of ordinary skill in the art to best utilize the invention in various embodiments and with various modifications as are suited for particular uses contemplated. Even though specific embodiments of this invention have been described, they are not to be taken as exhaustive. There are several variations that will be apparent to those skilled in the art. 

What is claimed is:
 1. A shooting target, comprising: a collapsible base support with a top, a bottom, a front, a back, a right side, and a left side; one or more side panels, each with a top, a bottom, a front and a back, each side panel hingedly attached along a side edge to an edge of the front of the base support, wherein the one or more side panels can be moved from a closed position covering some or all of the front of the base support to an open position extending to the side of the base support; a plurality of shooting target graphics displayed on the front of the base support and the front of the one or more side panels.
 2. The shooting target of claim 1, further comprising a plurality of tabs extending from the bottom of the one or more side panels and the base support, said tabs adapted to secure the shooting target to the ground.
 3. The shooting target of claim 1, further comprising a collapsible shelf unit with two support legs adapted to be affixed to the top of the base support.
 4. The shooting target of claim 3, wherein the shelf unit comprises at least one shelf.
 5. The shooting target of claim 4, wherein the shelf unit comprises two shelves.
 6. The shooting target of claim 3, further comprising tabs extending from the support legs, said tabs adapted to be inserted into corresponding slots or holes in the top of the base support.
 7. The shooting target of claim 4, wherein the shelf unit comprises one or more hooks or holes to support a suspended target.
 8. The shooting target of claim 4, wherein the shelf unit supports one or more three-dimensional targets.
 9. The shooting target of claim 1, wherein the shooting target can be collapsed and folded substantially flat.
 10. The shooting target of claim 1, wherein the shooting target is single-use.
 11. The shooting target of claim 1, wherein the shooting target is multiple-use. 